WAS EZRA A HIGH PRIEST?
|
|
- Harvey Harris
- 5 years ago
- Views:
Transcription
1 The books of Ezra and Nehemiah detail the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon. These books feature Ezra the Scribe as a religious leader of the fledging Jewish community in Jerusalem. He is introduced in the Tanakh with the following genealogical lineage: Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, the son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub, the son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth, the son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki, the son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest 1... (Ezra 7:1-5). This passage traces Ezra s descent all the way back to Aaron, the first high priest (kohen gadol). Nonetheless, rabbinic tradition teaches that Ezra himself was not a high priest. Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7 list all those exiles who returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel. Ezra s name is conspicuously absent from this list because he only returned to Jerusalem later, in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes (Ezra 7:7-8), 2 one year after the Holy Temple had been rebuilt. TB Megillah 16b notes Ezra s absence during the early days of the restored Temple and asks why he did not leave Babylon earlier. The Talmud then explains that Ezra did not want to leave Babylon while his teacher, Baruch ben Neriah, was still alive; he therefore had to wait until Baruch s death before leaving for Jerusalem. The Midrash adds the following to this talmudic discussion: The Temple was actually consecrated because Ezra did not arrive at the time, for had Ezra arrived then, Satan would have filed accusations against the Jews, arguing that Ezra would better serve as high priest than Jeshua ben Jehozadak. This is because even though Jeshua ben Jehozadak would have been a high priest son of a high priest, Ezra was more righteous than he (Song of Songs Rabbah 5:2). 3 Reuven Chaim (Rudolph) Klein is a graduate of Emek Hebrew Academy and Yeshiva Gedolah of Los Angeles. He currently studies in Yeshivat Mir in Jerusalem and is pursuing semicha at Beit Midrash L'Horaah Torat Shlomo.
2 182 This discussion clearly establishes the classic rabbinic position that it was not Ezra but his brother s son Jeshua who served as high priest (see I Chron. 5:40, which states that Jehozadak was a son of Seraiah, Ezra's father). This is also implied in the list of high priests in Nehemiah 12:10-11, all of whom were lineal male descendants of Jeshua ben Jehozadak. However, when tracing the transmission of the Masorah (chain of tradition), Maimonides (Rambam) mentions the rabbinical court of Ezra, known as the Men of the Great Assembly, 4 and notes that the last of these sages was Simeon the Just, whom he describes as the high priest some time after Ezra. 5 This seems to imply that Maimonides understood Ezra to have been a high priest. 6 Rabbi Menahem Meiri (1249-c. 1316) echoes the words of Maimonides and adds that Ezra was the first high priest of the Second Temple. 7 Thus, Maimonides and Meiri assume that Ezra had indeed served as high priest. In fact, Rabbi Hayyim Yosef David Azulai (Hida; ) relates that he found a manuscript of Maimonides to that effect. In this manuscript, Maimonides observes that he compared his Torah text with an ancient Torah scroll in France written by Ezra the high priest. 8 Azulai infers that Maimonides believed that Ezra was indeed a high priest, in consonance with his opinion above. Elsewhere, Azulai questions the position of Maimonides in light of the aforementioned midrash which states that Jeshua, not Ezra, was the high priest. 9 Rabbi Ya akov Emden (Yavetz; ) writes that Maimonides source is Tractate Parah (3:5) of the Mishnah, 10 which records all historical instances of preparing a red heifer (parah adumah) for use in purification: Who prepared them? Moses did so first; Ezra, the second; and after Ezra five more were prepared according to Rabbi Meir. The Sages say that seven more were done from Ezra s time onward. Who prepared them? Simeon the Just and Johanan the high priest each prepared two. Elyehoenai ben Hakkuf, Hanamel the Egyptian, and Yishmael ben Piavi each did one. By mentioning Ezra in conjunction with the other high priests who prepared red heifers (Emden reasons), the Mishnah seems to imply that Ezra, too, was a high priest. This idea gains support from the view that the red heifer might only be prepared by the high priest (see Parah 4:1). Emden then notes that even according to the opinion that any kohen may prepare a red JEWISH BIBLE QUARTERLY
3 heifer, each parah adumah would still have been known historically by the name of the serving kohen gadol, not by the name of the kohen who actually prepared it. 11 Thus, since the Mishnah mentions a red heifer prepared by Ezra, the implication is that Ezra was indeed the high priest. R. Emden concedes, however, that from a simple reading of the Tanakh it is evident that Jeshua ben Jehozadak was the kohen gadol, not Ezra, and that the succession was in a direct line through his male descendants for generations. In order to defend Maimonides position, Emden goes on to suggest that Ezra functioned as high priest only while Jeshua s son or grandson was still too young or while Jeshua or one of his descendants was temporarily disqualified from performing the high priest s duties owing to ritual impurity. One must therefore assume that Ezra served for a very short time in this capacity because the Talmud (TB Yoma 9a) does not list Ezra among the righteous high priests of the Second Temple whose merit entitled them to long service. 12 Rabbi Avraham Zacuto ( ) explicitly disagrees with Maimonides and contends that Ezra was never high priest, despite being the most prominent kohen of his generation. 13 Rabbi Shim on ben Tzemah Duran ( ) likewise affirms that Ezra was not a high priest. Yet by citing the aforementioned Mishnah to prove that Simeon the Just lived after Ezra, 14 Duran evidently fails to understand that it contradicts his earlier assertion that Ezra was not a kohen gadol. This can be explained by an idea that Hida (Azulai) proposed. He writes 15 that Ezra defined his generation, because he was the leading Torah scholar and prophet 16 of his time. The Mishnah is therefore justified in stating that Ezra prepared the red heifer, simply because this was done during his lifetime, even though he himself was not the high priest, but it does not provide support for the notion that Ezra functioned as the kohen gadol. Rabbi Hayyim Palache ( ) rejects the whole idea that Maimonides considered Ezra to have been a high priest and explains that Rambam had something entirely different in mind. 17 He simply meant that Simeon the Just was high priest some time after the era of Ezra s leadership and then became the nation s leader as well. According to Palache, Maimonides never meant to imply that Ezra served as kohen gadol and that Simeon the Just later succeeded him in that office. However, this explanation does not account for the Vol. 41, No. 3,
4 184 words of Meiri, who stated explicitly that Ezra was the first high priest of the Second Temple. According to Palache, the term kohen gadol in this context should not be taken to mean literally high priest but great kohen. In fact, notes Palache, Ecclesiastes Rabbah 1:8 maintains that had Aaron lived in Ezra s time, Ezra would have been greater than Aaron. Furthermore, the Talmud declares (TB Sanhedrin 21a) that Ezra was so great that he could have received the Torah instead of Moses, had he preceded him chronologically. Palache asserts that because Meiri was only writing a historical account of the Masorah, he did not strive to make it clear that Ezra was not in fact a high priest. (This point is hard to accept, because great care and precision are needed in the recording of history; Palache, however, seems to think otherwise.) In his opinion, no one claimed that Simeon the Just actually succeeded Ezra as high priest, since many generations elapsed between them. All that the writers meant was that Simeon the Just eventually became heir to the legacy of Ezra. Although some authorities believed that Ezra once served as high priest, this seems to contradict the plain meaning of the biblical text. Most authorities do not see Ezra in that role, and even Maimonides is ambiguous at best on this issue. From the standpoint of Jewish history and tradition, Ezra's achievements in strengthening Jewish life and rejuvenating Torah study far overshadow anything to do with his priestly status. 18 NOTES 1. The holder of the title chief priest in this context is ambiguous; it could refer to Aaron, Ezra s ancestor, or to Ezra himself. In the KJV and the JPS Bible, kohen gadol is always translated as high priest and kohen ha-rosh as chief priest. However, Ibn Ezra (to Psalms 99:6) refers to Aaron as ha-kohen ha-rosh. In the Apocrypha, Ezra (Esdras) is explicitly referred to as the chief priest (Esdras 9:40, 49). See A. Kahane, Ha-Sefarim ha-hitzonim (Jerusalem, 1970) pp (Hebrew), who refers to Ezra in those instances as kohen ha-rosh. Furthermore, it is unclear what the meaning of kohen ha-rosh is and whether it means the same as kohen gadol. The term kohen gadol appears many times in the Tanakh: Lev. 21:10; Num. 35:25, 35:28; Josh. 20:6; II Kgs. 12:11, 22:4, 22:8, 23:4; Haggai 1:1, 1:12, 1:14, 2:1, 2:2, 2:4; Zech. 3:1, 3:8, 6:11; Neh. 3:1, 13:28; and II Chron. 34:9 (which essentially paraphrases II Kgs. 23:4). The term (ha- )kohen ha-rosh, however, only appears in the books of Ezra and Chronicles, i.e., Ezra 7:5; II Chron. 19:11, 24:11, 26:20, 31:10. In I Chron. 27:5, Benaiah ben Jehoiada is referred to as hakohen rosh. Rashi comments that although some maintain that he was the high priest, this opinion must be rejected since Zadok and Abiathar held that office during the reigns of David and JEWISH BIBLE QUARTERLY
5 Solomon. R. David Kimhi ( ), in his commentary, explains that the title kohen ha-rosh was not applied to Benaiah but rather to his father, Jehoiada. Jehoiada is mentioned in I Chron. 12:28 as prince of [the house of] Aaron and Kimhi explains that this means that he was the high priest. Rashi, commenting on II Chron. 24:11, explains that kohen ha-rosh means associate high priest. The only other occurrence of the term, besides Ezra and Chronicles, is in II Kings 25:18, where Seraiah is titled kohen ha-rosh and Zephniah is styled kohen mishneh (lit., secondary priest ). Here Kimhi explains that kohen ha-rosh refers to the high priest and kohen mishneh to his assistant. No explanation is given by Rashi. Thus, even if chief priest in this context alludes to Ezra, not Aaron, this does not necessarily imply that Ezra was the high priest. 2. Rashi (in his commentary to Ezra 7:7 and to TB Megillah 16b) identifies Artaxerxes with Darius II. Here, Rashi follows the classic rabbinic interpretation (see TB Rosh Ha-Shanah 3b) that this Persian king is known by three different names: Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes. 3. Rashi (I Chron. 5:41) also observes that Ezra did not become high priest because Jeshua arrived in Jerusalem long before him. Elsewhere, Rashi writes (I Chron. 24:1) that Ezra did not become high priest because his father, Seraiah, was not the firstborn son of Azariah, the kohen gadol. Seraiah s older brother Jehozadak was the firstborn, and it was therefore Jehozadak s son, Jeshua, who inherited the position of high priest. See the responsa of R. Yosef Hazzan, Hikrei Lev on Orah Hayyim, vol. 1 (Salonika, 1787) p. 42, dealing with priority in the succession of high priests on the basis of this discussion. 4. Introduction to Mishneh Torah. 5. See S. Buber, Sha arei Tziyyon (Jaroslaw, 1845) p. 15, where R. Isaac Immanuel de Lattes (16th cent., Italy) is said to have declared that Ezra was the first high priest of the Second Temple and that Simeon the Just succeeded him. However, De Lattes contradicted himself, because on p. 20 he writes that Ezra, the first high priest, was succeeded by Jeshua ben Jehozadak. See also Nahalat Avot (New York City: Zilberman, 1953) p. 51, in which R. Isaac Abrabanel ( ) wrote that Simeon the Just was the son of Jeshua ben Jehozadak, the implying that the latter succeeded the former. He also claimed that Ezra was a son of Jehozadak, making him Jeshua s brother. Both statements are obviously erroneous and run counter to explicit passages in the Tanakh. 6. In the introduction to his Commentary on the Mishnah, Maimonides also declares that Simeon the Just, a high priest, was the last of the Men of the Great Assembly. However, Maimonides does not say that Ezra preceded him as the high priest. This apparently gives rise to a contradiction in Maimonides position. One can nevertheless argue that since his Commentary on the Mishnah was written many years before his Mishneh Torah, he must have adopted the view that Ezra was a kohen gadol some time later, after initially rejecting it. Indeed, Meiri, who traditionally follows the opinions of Maimonides, did express the same opinion (see below). Similarly, R. Ovadyah of Bertinoro (15 th cent., Italy) wrote in his commentary to the Mishnah (Avot 1:2) that Simeon the Just was the high priest after Ezra. His commentary usually consists of abridgments of Rashi and Maimonides. Thus, Bertinoro also seems to believe that Maimonides held Ezra to have been a high priest. 7. B. Z. Prague, ed., Beit ha-behirah Avot (Jerusalem: Yad Ha-Rav Herzog, 1963) p M. M. Krengel, Shem Ha-Gedolim (Krakow, 1905) p H. Y. D. Azulai, Kikar la-aden (Livorno, 1801) p Y. Emden, Lehem Shamayim, vol. 4 (Jerusalem, 1958) p Vol. 41, No. 3, 2013
6 See Numbers 19:3-4, where Eleazar was commanded to prepare the red heifer, even though Aaron, his father, was the high priest. The Talmud (TB Yoma 42b) explains that although some held that a red heifer might only be prepared by the high priest, there was a special scriptural imperative that transferred the right of preparing the first red heifer from Aaron to Eleazar; all future red heifers were to be prepared by the kohen gadol. The opinion that any kohen can prepare a red heifer derives this notion from that fact that the first red heifer was prepared by Eleazar, not his father, Aaron the high priest. According to this opinion, one must explain that even though Eleazar prepared the first red heifer, Moses is said to have done so because (according to TB Zevahim 102a) he, like his brother Aaron, had the halakhic status of a high priest. The fact that the Mishnah speaks of a red heifer being prepared by Ezra shows that Ezra was indeed a kohen gadol. This is the reasoning behind Emden s analysis. 12. See Hayyim Kanievsky, Be-Sha ar ha-melekh (Bnei Berak, 1960) p. 17, and Kiryat Melekh (Bnei Brak, 1978) p. 8, where Kanievsky deduces from the same mishnah in Parah that Ezra was indeed a high priest. He then asks how this can be reconciled with the aforementioned midrash, which that states that Jeshua ben Jehozadak was the kohen gadol, not Ezra. His answer is that perhaps, after Jeshua or one of his descendants died, Ezra replaced him. Here R. Kanievsky differs slightly from Emden, but they both conclude for the same reason that Ezra could have only been high priest for a short period of time. 13. H. Filipowski, Sefer Yuhasin ha-shalem (London, 1857) p Y. Fischl, Magen Avot (Leipzig, 1855) p Azulai, Petah Einayim, vol. 2 (Livorno, 1790) p Azulai apparently assumes that Ezra was a prophet because TB Megillah 15a identifies Ezra with Malachi. However, TB Megillah 14a notes that there were only 48 prophets. Now whatever method one adopts to count these 48 nevi im (see Rashi, Rabbenu Hananel, Haggahot Ha-Bah, Haggahot Ha-Gra, Seder ha-dorot Year 2442), Malachi is included and Ezra is not. This approach is not accepted by Maimonides, who lists Ezra and Malachi as separate people when tracing the transmission of the Masorah. See Kanievsky, Be-Sha ar ha-melekh, p. 18, where he writes that Maimonides rejected the opinion mentioned in the Talmud that Ezra and Malachi were one and the same. 17. H. Palache, Beit Avot (Salonika, 1821) p See, for example, Ezra's takkanot as described in TB Bava Kamma 82a-b and Megillah 31b. IMPORTANT NOTICE AS OF VOLUME 42 (2014) THE COST FOR A PRINT SUBSCRIPTION TO THE JOURNAL WILL BE $60. THE FULL TEXT DIGITAL VERSION WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE FOR JEWISH BIBLE QUARTERLY
7 FREE ACCESS on PLEASE CHECK FOR ANY UPDATES. 187 Vol. 41, No. 3, 2013
Ezra 3:1-13. Who is Ezra?
From Brokenness to Healing: Restoring the Priesthood and the Word of God Ezra 7:1-10 Now after this, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, (Ezra 7:1a) Persian King Reign BC Events Text Cyrus II 550-529
More informationEzra: Rebuilding God s Two Houses. Table of Contents
Jack Rendel Quotes from NIV Table of Contents Part 1 Building God s Physical House Two Groups Return Chapters 1 & 2 Two Contributions Chapter 3 Section 1 First return under Joshua and Zerubbabel High priest
More informationEzra Chapter 7. From verses 7:1 10:44, covers the return of the second group to Judah, led by Ezra (ca. 458 B.C.).
Ezra Chapter 7 Verses 7:1 8:36: This section introduces Ezra and presents the scholar-priest, his family, his task, and his expedition. Much of the account is his personal record, using I and we. From
More informationEzra A Remnant O LORD God of Israel, You are righteous, for we are left as a remnant Ezra 9:15
I don t know about you but, Biblical character study is my absolute favorite. After studying a particular person of the Bible our lives are enriched and changed for eternity. How awesome is that! How can
More information1 Living into the Life of Jesus, Klaus Issler, page 38.
2 Chronicles 16:9a: For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him The Bible has a pattern in which God is seeking to bless and use those
More informationRECONSTRUCTING THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TABERNACLE OF SHILOH
RECONSTRUCTING THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TABERNACLE OF SHILOH THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TABERNACLE OF SHILOH Nearly a third of the Book of Exodus deals with the Tabernacle of the wilderness. That portable temple
More informationThe Genealogies of Christ - The Promises to Levi and Judah are Fulfilled in Christ
The Promises to Levi and Judah are Fulfilled in Christ In my studies of the Word, I have often been puzzled by an apparent anomaly. First, the New Testament makes it clear that Jesus Christ will be the
More informationRECONCILING THE SACRIFICES OF EZEKIEL WITH THE TORAH
RECONCILING THE SACRIFICES OF EZEKIEL WITH THE TORAH REUVEN CHAIM (RUDOLPH) KLEIN The last chapters of the Book of Ezekiel envision and describe the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Holy Temple. On closely
More informationChanukah Candles: When and For How Long?
ל ל כ ז ז ב" Texts compiled and Translated by Rabbi Noah Gradofsky Chanukah 5766 [ ] indicate words that are assumed in the ebrew text. ( ) indicates commentary necessary to understand the text.- ל ד ב
More informationCHAPTER 11 EXILE AND RETURN
CHAPTER 11 EXILE AND RETURN DATES AND BIBLICAL MATERIAL Dates 586 BC c. 400 BC This period is filled with historical detail that can get confusing. The following chronology presents landmark events that
More informationChapter Seven. 1. Who Ezra was, and what he was doing. (7:l- 10:44) TEXT, 7:l What help did he get from God?
Chapter Seven The one theme which runs through chapter seven is the qualifications, or credentials, of the man Ezra. A new age is being born. As in the days of Moses, or David, or Elijah, or Jesus, attention
More informationFeATUReS OF The ESV StudEnt Study BiBlE INCLUDe:
INTRODUCTION TO the Student Study Bi B le The ESV StudEnt Study BiBlE The ESV Student Study Bible is ideally suited for students who are serious about God s Word who want to learn more about what the Bible
More informationScribes of the Kingdom
Scribes of the Kingdom Matthew 13:51-52 Robert C. Newman Matthew 13:51-52 51 (NIV) "Have you understood all these things?" Jesus asked. "Yes," they replied. 52 He said to them, "Therefore every teacher
More informationTHE LEAP-MONTH FABRICATED BY JEROBOAM
THE LEAP-MONTH FABRICATED BY JEROBOAM In order to squelch possible competition to his sovereignty from Israelites ascending to Jerusalem (in the Kingdom of Judah) for the traditional pilgrimages, King
More informationTime needed: The time allotments are for a two hour session and may be modified as needed for your group.
Cross-Dressing through the Ages (Beit Midrash) Submitted by JP Payne Short Summary of Event: A beit midrash (literally "house of study") is a place for people to come together and engage with Jewish texts,
More informationTHE ROLE OF TERAH IN THE FOUNDATIONAL STORIES OF THE PATRIARCHAL FAMILY
THE ROLE OF TERAH IN THE FOUNDATIONAL STORIES OF THE PATRIARCHAL FAMILY As the first of the three patriarchs in the book of Genesis, Abraham is known as the father of the Jewish nation. But a careful reading
More informationThe Christian Walk A Bible study to help you have a closer daily walk with God.
The Monthly Mission Messenger Volume IV, No. 45 March 2018 Roy Matlock Ministries http://www.pastorroymatlock.com royamatlock@gmail.com The Messenger is free for those who love to study God s Word. The
More informationFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What does Miqra ot Gedolot mean? Miqra ot Gedolot is a Hebrew expression meaning something like Large- Format Bible or, more colloquially, The Big Book of Bible. The famous Second
More informationFEED 210/212 Mentoring Through The Old Testament/Historical Books. Session # 4B: Ezra-Nehemiah
FEED 210/212 Mentoring Through The Old Testament/Historical Books Session # 4B: Ezra-Nehemiah OBJECTIVES: By the end of this session the participants should be able to: 1) Put in chronological context
More information1 and 2 Chronicles. by Richard L. Pratt, Jr.
1 and 2 Chronicles by Richard L. Pratt, Jr. 1 Dedicated to my parents with much gratitude. This commentary has resulted from the efforts of a team with many members. My secretary, Diana Soule, has once
More informationInternational Sunday School Lesson Study Notes
Lesson Text: Ezra 3:1-7 Lesson Title: Joyful Worship Restored Introduction International Sunday School Lesson Study Notes The book of Ezra was written by "Ezra, the son of Seraiah" (Ezra 7:1). Although
More informationLET S STUDY ONKELOS. By Stanley M. Wagner and Israel Drazin
LET S STUDY ONKELOS A Guide for Rabbis, Teachers and Torah Students to Study and Teach the Parashat Hashavua through the Eyes of its Most Important Translator By Stanley M. Wagner and Israel Drazin Based
More informationThe End of Prophecy: Malachi's Position in the Spiritual Development of Israel
The End of Prophecy: Malachi's Position in the Spiritual Development of Israel Introduction God communicated to people through prophecy for nearly the entire biblical period, from Adam until Malachi. According
More informationHow do we Know Maimonides is Actually Buried in Tiberias? By Yamin Levy
How do we Know Maimonides is Actually Buried in Tiberias? By Yamin Levy The sages commented: He who dwells in the land of Israel all his sins are forgiven as the verse (Isaiah 33:34) states: The inhabitants
More informationTHE TEMPLE SOLOMON S TEMPLE SOLOMON FINISHED THE TEMPLE (959 BC)? DESTROYED BY NEBUCHADNEZZAR (586 BC)?
THE TEMPLE SOLOMON S TEMPLE SOLOMON FINISHED THE TEMPLE (959 BC)? DESTROYED BY NEBUCHADNEZZAR (586 BC)? ZERUBBABEL S TEMPLE RECONSTRUCTION UNDER CYRUS (536 BC)? BUILDING CEASES UNDER ARTAXERXES (17 YEARS)?
More informationPharaoh s Choices. First, let s review the text.
Fri 15 Jan 2010 Dr Maurice M. Mizrahi Congregation Adat Reyim D var Torah on Vaera Pharaoh s Choices In this week s Torah portion, Vaera, Moses and Aaron come again and again before Pharaoh, demanding,
More informationDr. J. Paul Tanner Old Testament III Ezra S E S S I O N T W E N T Y- F I V E EZRA. A Godly Leader With A Godly Influence On His Generation
S E S S I O N T W E N T Y- F I V E EZRA A Godly Leader With A Godly Influence On His Generation INTRODUCTION Although Ezra is credited with the authorship of the book, not all the events recorded within
More informationFrom Garden to Exile to Garden Again An Old Testament Survey: A Literary Approach Mako A. Nagasawa Last modified: October 15, 2017
From Garden to Exile to Garden Again An Old Testament Survey: A Literary Approach Mako A. Nagasawa Last modified: October 15, 2017 Introduction: The Garden In the summer of 2005, many dreams came true
More informationMoshe Raphael ben Yehoshua (Morris Stadtmauer) o h Tzvi Gershon ben Yoel (Harvey Felsen) o h
3 Sivan 5776 June 9, 2016 Bava Kamma Daf 9 Daf Notes is currently being dedicated to the neshamot of Moshe Raphael ben Yehoshua (Morris Stadtmauer) o h Tzvi Gershon ben Yoel (Harvey Felsen) o h May the
More informationThe Return from Exile BC
The Return from Exile 538-515 BC a tribal people in Iran along with Babylon, brought down the Assyrian Empire dominant in the region from 612-549 BC when they were defeated by Cyrus and incorporated into
More informationValley Bible Church - Bible Survey
Bible Survey Lesson 27: The Book of Ezra, Part I INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF EZRA Introduction: There are six post-captivity books that record the return and restoration of the children of Judah at Jerusalem
More informationMINCHA. by Shlomo Katz. Hamaayan / The Torah Spring Edited by Shlomo Katz Chayei Sarah Volume XVI, No Marcheshvan 5762 November 10, 2001
MINCHA by Shlomo Katz Hamaayan / The Torah Spring Edited by Shlomo Katz Chayei Sarah Volume XVI, No. 5 24 Marcheshvan 5762 November 10, 2001 Today's Learning: Bava Metzia 8:3-4 Orach Chaim 539:9:11 Daf
More informationBIBLICAL INTERPRETATIONS BASED ON PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF HEBREW LETTERS
BIBLICAL INTERPRETATIONS BASED ON PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF HEBREW LETTERS ZVI RON INTRODUCTION In this article we will examine a few examples of Biblical interpretation based on the physical characteristics
More informationIntroduction to Talmud Answer Guide
Introduction to Talmud Answer Guide The Essential Talmud by Adin Steinsaltz ISBN: 0-87668-160-7 Lession One: Chapters 1-3 Instructions All answers are to be prepared and submitted as an email attachment
More informationIndex. Cambridge University Press Esther in Ancient Jewish Thought Aaron Koller. Index. More information
1 Maccabees, 68, 110, 111, 138 2 Maccabees, 110, 112 3 Maccabees, 141 4Q171 ii 18 19, 129 4Q267, 130 4Q306 i 2, 130 11QPsalms 24:4 5, 129 70 year prophecy. See seventy-year prophecy Abba Gurion (Midrash),
More informationNehemiah Chapter Twelve
Nehemiah Chapter Twelve V Nehemiah 11:1 12:43 - The Population of Jerusalem and the Villages; Priests and Levites (continues/concludes) Summary of Chapter Twelve The chapter commences by naming the priests
More informationSection 20. Mourning and Inheritance
1 Section 20 Mourning and Inheritance The fundamentals of the laws of inheritance and mourning are not found in the Torah. The laws of inheritance predate the Torah and are known through sevel hayerushah.
More informationTHE L.I.F.E. PLAN EZRA - ESTHER BLOCK 3. THEME 2 - THE HISTORY LESSON 4 (80 of 216)
THE L.I.F.E. PLAN EZRA - ESTHER BLOCK 3 THEME 2 - THE HISTORY LESSON 4 (80 of 216) BLOCK 3 THEME 2: THE HISTORY LESSON 4 (80 OF 216): EZRA - ESTHER LESSON AIM: Briefly describe the books which cover the
More informationStudying To Show Ourselves Approved EZRA THE SCRIBE. and NEHEMIAH THE GOVERNOR. By Charles Willis
Studying To Show Ourselves Approved EZRA THE SCRIBE and NEHEMIAH THE GOVERNOR By Charles Willis EZRA THE SCRIBE and NEHEMIAH THE GOVERNOR Timeline Lesson 1: The Return Lesson 2: Opposition and Construction
More informationBehind the Bible. How did the Bible get put together? What was included and what was left out? Why?
16 Oct 2010 Dr Maurice Mizrahi Congregation Adat Reyim Lunch and Learn Behind the Bible How did the Bible get put together? What was included and what was left out? Why? Authors of Biblical Books -Umi
More informationReturn from Exile The Sun of Righteousness Malachi 3-4 Lesson 17 Trinity Bible Church Sunday School December 26, 2010
Return from Exile The Sun of Righteousness Malachi 3-4 Lesson 17 Trinity Bible Church Sunday School December 26, 2010 Great Expectations < The Promise: Genesis 12:1-3 Blessing A great nation Blessing for
More informationRETURNING FROM THE BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY
RETURNING FROM THE BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY The books of Ezra and Nehemiah tell about the Jews return from their Babylonian captivity, rebuilding of the Temple, and the restoration of Jerusalem. It covers
More informationThe Jews Under Persia. Ezra; Nehemiah; Haggai; Zechariah
The Jews Under Persia Ezra; Nehemiah; Haggai; Zechariah Where We Left Off The work of rebuilding the Temple, begun as a result of the edict of Cyrus, had come to a halt. The last days of Cyrus and the
More informationLesson 1- Formation of the Bible- Old Testament
Lesson 1- Formation of the Bible- Old Testament Aim To briefly understand the history, content and processes behind the formation of the Bible Prayer What can I learn from life? - Can you think and share
More informationThe Miracles Of Exodus
The Miracles Of Exodus Humphries, Colin, The Miracles Of Exodus, London, Continuum, 2003 THE DATE OF THE EXODUS So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom
More informationEzra & Nehemiah. Written by: Carla Freeman June Michealsen. Edited by: Sylvia Hamilton
Ezra & Nehemiah Written by: Carla Freeman June Michealsen Edited by: Sylvia Hamilton INTRODUCTION Ezra and Nehemiah detail the return of the Jews to Jerusalem from their Babylonian captivity. Ezra begins
More informationBiblical Studies In Ezra & Nehemiah
Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD, and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel. Ezra 7:10 You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and
More informationBIBLE STUDENT BOOK. 10th Grade Unit 10
BIBLE STUDENT BOOK 10th Grade Unit 10 Unit 10 The Restoration BIBLE 1010 The Restoration INTRODUCTION 3 1. THE FIRST RETURN FROM EXILE 5 THE DECREE OF CYRUS 5 THE RETURN UNDER ZERUBBABEL 7 THE REBUILDING
More informationThe Books of the Bible
The Books of the Bible And How They Relate to One Another By Gerry Watts Introduction As an aid to reading and studying the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures, so as to clarify how each book relates to the rest,
More informationBible Basics. Old Testament: Kings Through Exile. SF105 LESSON 03 of 07. Kings ( BC)
Bible Basics SF105 LESSON 03 of 07 Our Daily Bread Christian University This course was developed by Christian University & Our Daily Bread Ministries Kings (1050-586 BC) At the end of the previous section,
More informationRelationship of Science to Torah HaRav Moshe Sternbuch, shlita Authorized translation by Daniel Eidensohn
Some have claimed that I have issued a ruling, that one who believes that the world is millions of years old is not a heretic. This in spite of the fact that our Sages have explicitly taught that the world
More informationGUIDE TO TRANSLITERATION STYLE FORMAT OF REFERENCES
Back Matter 17_Transliteration 12 2/11/17 10:34 PM Page 257 GUIDE TO TRANSLITERATION STYLE g FORMAT OF REFERENCES Back Matter 17_Transliteration 12 2/11/17 10:34 PM Page 254 The Torah u-madda Journal GUIDE
More informationAdoption of the Old Testament Canon. Randy Broberg 2004
Adoption of the Old Testament Canon Randy Broberg 2004 BANNED FROM THE BIBLE The Stories That Were Deleted From Biblical History NEW YORK, Dec. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- When Jesus was a boy, did he kill another
More informationGulf Shores, AL. Sunday Morning Bible Study Series TEACHER: RAY REYNOLDS
Gulf Shores, AL Sunday Morning Bible Study Series TEACHER: RAY REYNOLDS Ezra: Introduction Author: Unknown. It is traditionally associated with Ezra. Date: It is believed that Ezra was written after 440
More informationChapter Twelve PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS
Chapter Twelve PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS 1. Are all these lists of names from the same time? 2. Why do you suppose the dedication service did not follow the completion of the walls, in 6: 15? 3. Do you see
More informationHaggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Already back, but not yet returned from exile
Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi Already back, but not yet returned from exile Approaching Haggai Who was Haggai and what were his times? What are the structure and themes in Haggai? How does Haggai point
More informationNotes on Ezra - page 1
Notes on Ezra - page 1 NAME The book derives its title from the leading character in the book: Ezra. His name means help. The Massoretes called Ezra-Nehemiah one book. The LXX called Ezra Ezra B (Ezra
More information1 ST THINGS 1 ST. The Bible tells a SINGLE Story with JESUS at the Center. The Jewish People are a part of the Story, but not the Story.
The Bible tells a SINGLE Story with JESUS at the Center. The Jewish People are a part of the Story, but not the Story. The Nation of Israel in General and the line of Judah in particular is the womb carrying
More informationJUDAISM 1 ST THINGS 1 ST. The Bible tells a SINGLE Story with JESUS at the Center. The Jewish People are a part of the Story, but not the Story.
JUDAISM The Bible tells a SINGLE Story with JESUS at the Center. The Jewish People are a part of the Story, but not the Story. THE Story has JESUS at the center, not the nation of Israel. The SEED PROMISE
More informationThe Importance of Education in Judaism
The Importance of Education in Judaism Michael Rudolph Delivered to Ohev Yisrael March 18, 2017 (On the occasion of Steven P. Winkler s graduation from MLI) I don t usually begin my messages by quoting
More informationd. Reigns of Xerxes and Artaxerxes 4: Complaints made to Xerxes and Artaxerxes 4:6-10
d. Reigns of Xerxes and Artaxerxes 4:6-24 1. Complaints made to Xerxes and Artaxerxes 4:6-10 6 [ 1 At the onset of the reign (or, ascension to the throne) of Ahasuerus, 2 a complaint was lodged by the
More information"AND THESE ARE THE JUDGMENTS THAT YOU SHALL SET BEFORE THEM" (EX. 21:1):
"AND THESE ARE THE JUDGMENTS THAT YOU SHALL SET BEFORE THEM" (EX. 21:1): "AS A SET TABLE" (MEKHILTA) 1 This particular metaphor, "as a set table [ שולחן ערוך ] " employed by Akiba to explain the manner
More informationLesson 12 - Ezra ch.6 and 7
EZRA Week 12, chapters 6 and 7 It is a fascinating and unique style of the Holy Bible to thoroughly, carefully, and some times to expansively document God s instructions to a Prophet or a King or to His
More informationEzra, Haggai, Esther and Nehemiah
Ezra, Haggai, Esther and Nehemiah LESSON TWENTY-TWO Nehemiah 12 Day 1 Nehemiah 12:1-21 Day 2 Nehemiah 12:22-30 Day 3 Nehemiah 12:31-37 Day 4 Nehemiah 12:38-43 Day 5 Nehemiah 12:44-47 267 1 Look in His
More informationSTUDY GUIDE AND STUDY QUESTIONS FOR NEHEMIAH
STUDY GUIDE AND STUDY QUESTIONS FOR NEHEMIAH Historical Time and Background for Nehemiah This historical book of Nehemiah covers the third phase of the Post-Exillic period of Israel s history. It is closely
More informationEzra Notes Studies completed with Joe Focht, Chuck Smith, Damian Kyle, Jon Courson, Warren Wiersbe, Matthew Henry, and NIV Study Bible.
Ezra Notes Studies completed with Joe Focht, Chuck Smith, Damian Kyle, Jon Courson, Warren Wiersbe, Matthew Henry, and NIV Study Bible. Introduction: Ezra means help. And the theme of the book of Ezra
More informationASK U. - The Kollel Institute
A. The Geonim (600-1000 CE) Title borne by the heads of the two large academies in Babylonia in Sura and Pumbedita, between the 6th and 11th centuries. In their days the Babylonian Talmud gained wide circulation
More informationEzra, Haggai, Esther and Nehemiah
Ezra, Haggai, Esther and Nehemiah LESSON THREE Ezra 4 Day 1 Ezra 4:1-5 Day 2 Ezra 4:6-10 Day 3 Ezra 4:11-16 Day 4 Ezra 4:17-22 Day 5 Ezra 4:23-24 25 1 Look in His Word Feel free to underline, circle or
More informationWHAT SHOULD A COMMENTARY COMMENT ON? Richard Elliott Friedman
WHAT SHOULD A COMMENTARY COMMENT ON? Richard Elliott Friedman Note: Professor Friedman gave the keynote address, which looked at what biblical commentary needs to address in this age. The following is
More informationSpring 2013 Syllabus Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary Introduction to Judaism: Jewish Ideas and Beliefs Rabbi David Ariel-Joel
1 Spring 2013 Syllabus Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary Introduction to Judaism: Jewish Ideas and Beliefs Rabbi David Ariel-Joel Course Description and Learning Outcomes The transition from
More informationRestoring Part 4. o While simultaneously stirring the hearts of nearly 50,000 Jews to answer the call to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple
Restoring Part 4 Last week we studied the first step of God s restoration for the nation of Israel o God stirs the heart of the King of Persia to release the Jews from captivity o While simultaneously
More informationFour Short Sermons. Haggai
Four Short Sermons Haggai Four Short Sermons Introduction Four Short Sermons Introduction Have you ever started a project and then failed to finish it? Four Short Sermons Introduction Have you ever started
More informationOur English Bible Part 1 An Outline of Its Textual History
Our English Bible Part 1 An Outline of Its Textual History Our English Bible: 1. It initially consisted of 2 Testaments totaling 80 books (14 apocryphal) 2. The first (old) contains 39 books originally
More informationThe Power of the Blessing of the Kohanim
Parashat Naso 5771, 2011 The Power of the Blessing of the Kohanim Rabbi David Etengoff Dedicated to the sacred memory of my sister-in-law, Ruchama Rivka Sondra, the yahrzeit of my father-in-law, Levi ben
More informationSearch Results Other Tools
Search Results Other Tools Export Results to Verse List Graph Bible Search Results Aligned Hits In Context Concordance Search Analysis By Lemma ESV OT Exod 16:4 Exod 16:28 Exod 24:12 Lev 26:46 Then the
More informationHAS MESSIAH COME? by Avram Yehoshua
HAS MESSIAH COME? by Avram Yehoshua http://seedofabraham.net A most amazing thing occurs in the ninth chapter of Daniel we re told when Messiah would come, but instead of explaining it to us our Rabbis
More information1 Chronicles Samuel and Kings are written from a prophetic and moral viewpoint, Chronicles is written from a priestly and spiritual perspective.
1 1 Chronicles 1-10 Introduction to 1Chronicles First and Second Chronicles were originally written as one book. They weren t divided into two books until around 200 B.C., with the Greek translation of
More informationEzra & Nehemiah. Rebuilding the Walls. and God s People
Ezra & Nehemiah Rebuilding the Walls and God s People Persian Rulers 539-331 B.C. Cyrus the Great (559-530 B.C.) Daniel Cambyses (530-522 B.C.) Darius I (522-486 B.C.) Zerubbabel (Ezra 1-6) *Xerxes I (486-465
More informationTHOUGHT OF NACHMANIDES: INTRODUCTORY ESSAY TO COMMENTARY ON TORAH
THOUGHT OF NACHMANIDES: INTRODUCTORY ESSAY TO COMMENTARY ON TORAH Gavriel Z. Bellino October 14, 2015 Moses our teacher wrote this book of Genesis together with the whole Torah from the mouth of the Holy
More informationTHE TEMPLE SOLOMON S TEMPLE SOLOMON FINISHED THE TEMPLE TEMPLE REPAIRED BY JOSIAH DESTROYED BY NEBUCHADNEZZAR
THE TEMPLE SOLOMON S TEMPLE SOLOMON FINISHED THE TEMPLE TEMPLE REPAIRED BY JOSIAH DESTROYED BY NEBUCHADNEZZAR PROPHESIED BY ISAIAH (959 BC)? (640 BC)? (586 BC)? (712 BC)? ZERUBBABEL S TEMPLE RECONSTRUCTION
More informationNot Remembering and Forgetting What They Really Mean
Vayashev 5771, 2010: Not Remembering and Forgetting What They Really Mean Rabbi David Etengoff Dedicated to the sacred memory of my sister-in-law, Ruchama Rivka Sondra, and the refuah shlaimah of Sarah
More informationPesach: Shabbat HaGadol Talmudic Sugya: Tradition and Meaning
1 Introduction: Pesach: Shabbat HaGadol Talmudic Sugya: Tradition and Meaning On the Sabbath just preceding Passover or Pesach, Shabbat HaGadol, it is customary for the rabbi to give a discourse on some
More informationEZRA (Student Edition) Part One: The Restoration of the Temple of God (1:1--6:22) Part Two: The Reformation of the People of God (7:1--10:44)
EZRA (Student Edition) Part One: The Restoration of the Temple of God (1:1--6:22) I. 1:1--2:70 A. Decree of Cyrus 1:1-4 B. Gifts from Israel and Cyrus 1:5-11 C. Census of the Returning People 2:1-63 1.
More informationedition of all the Talmudic parallels with their own critical apparatus, presented synoptically with the versions of the Scholion.
Dead Sea Discoveries 13/3 2006 Megillat Ta anit: Versions Interpretation History: With a Critical Edition, by Vered Noam (Heb.). Jerusalem: Yad Ben-Zvi Press, 2003. Pp. 452. Price: $59.00. ISBN 965 217
More informationEZEKIEL CHAPTER FORTY - THREE
EZEKIEL CHAPTER FORTY - THREE PROPHET - DATE JONAH (825-785BC)? JOEL (800BC)? HOSEA (785-725BC)? MICAH (785-710BC)? AMOS (784BC)? ISAIAH (701-681BC)? NAHUM (700BC)? ZEPHANIAH (630BC)? JEREMIAH (629-588BC)?
More informationThe Origins of Reading the Aramaic Targum in Synagogue
The Origins of Reading the Aramaic Targum in Synagogue by Ze ev Safrai Modern research has devoted much time and effort to the origins of targumic literature. A number of studies have provided basic summaries
More informationResponse to Rabbi Marc D. Angel s Article on Gerut
Response to Rabbi Marc D. Angel s Article on Gerut 41 By: ELIEZER BEN PORAT Rabbi Marc Angel s article, Conversion to Judaism (Hạkirah, vol. 7), contains halachic misrepresentations, and slights the positions
More informationWhy God Counts the Years From Nisan and Why It Matters
Why God Counts the Years From Nisan and Why It Matters By T.W. Tramm IN EXODUS, God instructs Moses to number the years from the month of Nisan: The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, This month [of
More informationExploring Religion: Early Judaism
Exploring Religion: Early Judaism AHUM 1716, Section 2 Spring Quarter 2006; MW 11:00-12:50; Sturm Hall 479 Teacher/Facilitator: Dan Clanton Office: Sturm Hall 408; Office Hours: By Appointment Only; Phone:
More informationTHE TWELVE. (A Study of the Minor Prophets)
THE TWELVE (A Study of the Minor Prophets) Introduction The last twelve books of the Old Testament canon are often referred to as the Minor Prophets. The word canon means an ecclesiastical rule or law
More informationEzra. Wayne Higginbotham Ph. D. abd Page 1
Ezra The Authorship and Dating Although Ezra doesn t directly mention who is the author, the first person writing in 7:28 and beyond point to Ezra s personal authorship. 1 Tradition holds that Ezra the
More informationYou shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Yeshua
Chapter 3 You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Yeshua The final plague on Egypt was the plague of the Passover, when God passed over those who came under the blood of the lamb,
More informationAn Introduction to the Older Testament. Holy Books of the Jewish and Christian Faith
MICHAEL FALLON Missionary of the Sacred Heart An Introduction to the Older Testament Holy Books of the Jewish and Christian Faith Chevalier Press 2014 i Introductory Commentaries on the Bible by the same
More information"Halacha Sources" Highlights - Why "Shekalim"? - Can't "Ki Sisa" Stay In Its Own Week?
"Halacha Sources" Highlights - Why "Shekalim"? - Can't "Ki Sisa" Stay In Its Own Week? Question: Why are the first six pesukim of parshas "Ki Sisa" read upon the arrival of the month of Adar, as Parshas
More informationHilkhot Teshuva 2:7 The Obligation to Repent on Yom Kippur By David Silverberg
Hilkhot Teshuva 2:7 The Obligation to Repent on Yom Kippur By David Silverberg Yom Kippur is the time for repentance for every individual and for the many [the nation], and it marks the final pardon and
More informationHOW LONG WAS THE SOJURN IN EGYPT: 210 OR 430 YEARS?
HOW LONG WAS THE SOJURN IN EGYPT: 210 OR 430 YEARS? In Exodus 12:40 we read: The dwellings of the children of Israel that they dwelt in Egypt were 430 years. Verse 41 reiterates that after 430 years all
More informationMay a Minor Read from the Torah?
May a Minor Read from the Torah? RABBI JOEL ROTH This paper was adopted as the Majority Opinion on January 13, 1982 by a vote of 8-4. Members voting in favor: Rabbis Kassel Abelson, Ben Zion Bokser, Salamon
More informationthe time of the obedience, it fit appropriately. Hag. 2: /5/17 Intro To Zechariah
1 2 3/5/17 Intro To Zechariah Zechariah the prophet is the eleventh Minor Prophet of the twelve, the second post-captivity prophet, the first being Haggai, the third and last being Malachi. The main criteria
More informationWhat is the book of Chronicles?
What is the book of Chronicles? Rewritten Scripture It is supposed to be compared to the other scriptural version of the same story. It challenges readers to consider why a new version of the same story
More information1Chronicles 6:1 81. The Descendants of Levi and their Allotments
6 6:1 81 The Descendants of Levi and their Allotments Alternate Outline of Chapter 6: I. The Priestly Line of Kohath (1Chron. 6:1 15) II. The Three Lines of Descent (1Chron. 6:16 30) A. Gershom (vv. 20
More information